Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Iraq: Islamic State

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq about the prosecution of ISIS operatives responsible for the murder, enslavement, deportation, forcible transfer, imprisonment, torture, abduction, exploitation, abuse, rape, forced marriage, and enforced disappearance of Yazidis, Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq; and how many prosecutions have taken place.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We regularly urge the Government of Iraq, at both official and ministerial levels, to uphold the freedoms and rights of all minorities across Iraq. We are working with the Government of Iraq to ensure that members of Daesh are held to account for their appalling crimes. The Prime Minister underlined this message with former Prime Minister Abadi during her visit to Iraq in November 2017, and both the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa and I reiterated it during our visits in March and April 2018 respectively. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa also raised the need to protect minority communities with the new Iraqi Foreign Minister during a phone call on 14 November.The UN Investigative Team (established under UN Security Council Resolution 2379) has deployed to Iraq to begin gathering evidence. The UK has committed £1 million to the establishment of this team. It will gather evidence of Daesh crimes, including those against the Yezidi, Christian and other minority communities; it aims to help secure justice for all Daesh's victims, regardless of their religion or belief.The British Government does not publish details of prosecutions carried out by other governments.

Daphne Caruana Galizia

lord black of brentwood: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any representations to the government of Malta about the progress of the investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Minister for Europe and the Americas discussed the case with the Maltese Foreign Minister, Carmelo Abela during a meeting in London in April. The matter was raised again by the Home Secretary with the Maltese Interior Minister, Michael Farrugia this month. The police investigation has made three arrests so far and continues to explore a number of lines of enquiry. Our High Commissioner and his team in Valletta remain in close contact with the Maltese authorities and stand ready to consider any request for assistance.

Commonwealth: Press Freedom

lord chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the UNESCO Director-General's 2018 Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity which found that 104 journalists were killed in eight Commonwealth countries between 2006 and 2015, and that in none of these cases the perpetrators were brought to justice.

lord chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Commonwealth Secretary-General about the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance’s 2018 report on Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance.

lord chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they were aware of the development of the Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance by the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in 2018; and what steps they took to support the principles at the summit.

lord chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they support the objectives of the Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance developed by the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance; what steps they will take to promote the principles within the Commonwealth; and whether they will advocate for their consideration at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in 2020.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Government is committed to tackling intimidation and violence against journalists wherever it occurs, including in Commonwealth countries, and to challenging impunity for such crimes. The Foreign Secretary highlighted our determination to address this issue on the International Day to End Impunity for Attacks Against Journalists on 2 November, announcing our intention to put the resources of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) behind the cause of media freedom and to hold an international conference on this issue, in 2019. We welcome the attention UNESCO has given to this problem.We support the work of the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance on Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance, and their continued efforts to prepare them for consideration at the Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda in 2020. Officials from the FCO and Cabinet Office have offered advice and support to members of the Working Group, most recently on 12 November 2018. The Working Group was given the opportunity to brief all member states on the proposed principles at senior official level, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in April 2018. However, there was no consensus amongst member states for the principles to be formally included on Heads' agenda or in their official communiqué. We have discussed the principles with the Commonwealth Secretariat on several occasions since the Heads of Government Meeting. We continue to encourage the Working Group to work with member states and the Secretariat to build consensus towards adoption of the principles.

Mediterranean Sea: Rescue Services

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to support non-governmental search and rescue work in the Mediterranean, including the re-flagging of the MV Aquarius.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The British Government recognises the contribution non-governmental organisations (NGOs) make towards search and rescue in the Mediterranean. We do not provide direct support to these organisations. The UK has a strong record on Mediterranean Search and Rescue: between May 2015 and July 2018, UK naval assets rescued over 31,000 people through our contributions to EU operations SOPHIA and Frontex. The British Government's understanding is that the M.V. Aquarius, following the withdrawal of its flagged status by the Gibraltar Maritime Authority on safety grounds, was subsequently registered under the Panama flag. However, the Panamanian Maritime Authority revoked its registration in September. It is not for the British Government to intervene in Panama's decision. The UK has not received a request from the owners of the Aquarius or its most recent operators, the NGOs SOS Méditerranée and Médicins Sans Frontières, for re-registration under a British flag. Should we receive such a request, the application would be considered according to the usual procedures.

Eastern Europe: Politics and Government

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to support the (1) strengthening of civil society, and (2) effectiveness of major institutions and government departments, in Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Ensuring a stronger, more democratic and more prosperous Eastern neighbourhood remains a priority for Her Majesty's Government. We recognise that a thriving civil society and strong, independent institutions are key to achieving these objectives. The Government is already providing targeted assistance to Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine through its Global Britain, Good Governance and Conflict, Stability and Security Funds and will commit over £17 million towards these countries this year.In Belarus, the UK is funding a number of projects on human rights and economic reform. This includes projects on improved access to justice for children, preventing domestic violence and improved transparency in financial reporting of state-owned enterprises.In Moldova, the UK is providing support to civil society on local government accountability and independent media. We are also providing support to State institutions, especially in the financial and banking sectors.In Ukraine, the UK is providing programme assistance to institutions including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and the Ukrainian Public Broadcaster. Projects also include support for civil society in monitoring government and increasing democratic inclusion.

Philippines: Human Rights

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they provide support to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council in the Philippines; if so, what support they provide; and whether they intend to (1) call for an independent inquiry into recent human rights violations in the Philippines, (2) make the Philippines an FCO Human Rights priority, (3) take steps to protect Human Rights Defenders in that country, (4) call for the full implementation of Republic Act 7610 for the protection of children and young people.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​The UK is concerned about reports of human rights abuses in the Philippines, including the high death toll associated with the 'war on drugs', the treatment of human rights defenders, journalists and land rights campaigners and moves to reintroduce the death penalty.In August 2018, the Minister for Asia and the Pacific raised our concerns with several Philippine Ministers during his trip to Manila. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials raised human rights with the Philippines Ambassador on 21 September. At the UN Human Rights Council in September 2018, we urged the Philippines to investigate killings associated with the "war on drugs" and to ensure the safety of Land Rights Defenders.We do not currently provide any support to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council and have no plans to do so.Our Embassy in Manila has used Her Majesty's Government's Modern Slavery Fund to support groups working on the effective implementation of the Republic Act 7610.

Pakistan: Females

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the implementation of the Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2015 in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Government remains concerned about reports of abuses and violence directed against women in Pakistan. Our concerns are reflected in the latest update to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual human rights report available at the gov.uk website.We regularly raise our concerns about the protection of vulnerable groups, including women, with the Pakistan government at a senior level. During his visit to Pakistan in September 2018, the Home Secretary raised the importance of tackling violence against women and girls.Pakistan remains a priority for UK development assistance, with programmes designed to improve human rights and opportunities for women. The Department for International Development's "Aawaz" Voice and Accountability programme in Pakistan works to empower female youth leaders from Punjab (and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) to challenge discriminatory social norms in their communities.Our Rule of Law programme in Pakistan aims to strengthen the formal criminal justice system through more effective investigations and prosecutions of crime. It will help to build public confidence in the formal justice system and encourage a move away from the use of "jirga councils". Part of the programme focuses specifically on improving access to justice for women and girls.

Treaties

lord pearson of rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions since 1988 they have unilaterally withdrawn from their obligations under international treaties.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK has unilaterally withdrawn from 52 treaties since 1 January 1988. All of these have been multilateral treaties.

Israel: Palestinians

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about the demolition of Palestinian homes in the night before families have removed their possessions.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​Whilst we have not raised this specific issue, the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa last raised demolitions with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 11 October. In all but the most exceptional circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process.

Department of Health and Social Care

HIV Infection

lord black of brentwood: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to the needs of people living with HIV as part of their development of a long-term plan for the NHS.

lord o'shaughnessy: Following the announcement in June 2018, the Prime Minister has asked the National Health Service to develop a long term plan for the service. The plan will set out how the NHS will develop over the coming years, underpinned by a five-year funding offer which will see the NHS budget grow by over £20.5 billion a year in real terms by 2023-24. It provides an excellent opportunity to look at how HIV and other services can be further improved over the next decade. The plan is currently in development and will be published later in the year.

Cancer

lord freyberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government which cancers have been recommended by NICE for molecular testing; and of those cancers, for which biomarkers in relation to (1) prognostic tests, and (2) theranostic or treatment predictive tests.

lord o'shaughnessy: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends molecular testing for the following cancers:- Acute myeloid leukaemia;- Bladder;- Brain;- Breast;- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia;- Chronic myeloid leukaemia;- Colorectal;- Non-small-cell lung cancer;- Melanoma;- Oesophago-gastric;- Ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal;- Pancreatic;- Prostate;- Upper aerodigestive tract; and- Unknown primary origin.NICE refers to the following companion diagnostic biomarkers in its guidance:- c-Kit (CD117);- HER2;- KRAS;- EGFR-TK;- Philadelphia chromosome;- BRAF V600;- ALK;- BRCA;- p53;- PD-L1;- RAS;- BCR-ABL1;- FLT3;- ROS1;- BRCA1 (germline); and- Somatostatin receptor-positive. Tests that are primarily used for diagnosis, monitoring or screening often provide prognostic information. Consequently, there are a large number of biomarkers, many of which are used in standard testing practice and so are not specifically referred to in NICE guidance. Multiple and combinations of biomarkers are often used to provide prognostic information and companies developing tests often create their own combinations.As many tests look for multiple biomarkers for a single purpose and many tests in standard practice provide prognostic information, NICE is unable to provide categorical information on prognostic tests.

Cancer

lord freyberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government which NHS England trusts currently carry out cancer tests in compliance with NICE guidelines; and in relation to which cancers.

lord freyberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government which NHS England trusts, if any, have secured funding to test for cancers clinically beyond the NICE guidelines, including through use of theranostic tests and somatic gene panels that can report back to patients within a clinically actionable time frame; and in relation to which cancers.

lord freyberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the main reasons for non-compliance with NICE guidelines for testing for cancer by NHS England trusts.

lord o'shaughnessy: NHS England does not hold this information.

Cancer

lord freyberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards the Cancer Task Force’s recommendation for a national molecular pathology service; and when they anticipate to implement this fully in relation to adult cancer diagnosis and care.

lord o'shaughnessy: In 2015, the Independent Cancer Taskforce Report highlighted limited access to molecular diagnostics across the National Health Service and limited use of technology to systematically identify patients with cancer and suggested that this has resulted in the NHS falling behind other countries in the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective cancer care.To address this, building on the world leading 100,000 Genomes Project and the existing infrastructure, NHS England announced in October 2018 that over the next 18 months work to mobilise the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) would get underway. The GMS will bring together existing clinical genetics services and the new genomic laboratory infrastructure to provide seamless service delivery for patients with rare and inherited disease and cancer.

Eating Disorders

baroness parminter: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, what steps they are taking to ensure that information about the (1) number, and (2) duration of training posts in eating disorders for Foundation grade doctors is collected and scrutinised at the national level by Health Education England; and whether this will include how such junior doctors are taught and assessed against a relevant part of their nutrition curriculum.

lord o'shaughnessy: In response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report, NHS England has convened a working group with NHS Improvement, Health Education England (HEE), the Department and other partners to co-ordinate actions being taken in response to the recommendations, taking them into account in planning for improvements to adult eating disorder services.Foundation training covers core generic skills which will include nutrition and all its facets, one of which is eating disorders. Currently, around 47% of foundation programmes in England offer four-month posts in psychiatry, and management of eating disorders and associated conditions is included in the curriculum and learning objectives for such posts.The Foundation Programme ensures that newly qualified doctors demonstrate their ability to learn in the workplace, develop their clinical and professional skills in the workplace in readiness for core, specialty or general practice training.Increasing psychiatry posts and training opportunities in foundation is part of HEE’s current review of the Foundation Programme. There are quality management systems in place to monitor HEE’s performance against those objectives.

NHS: Standards

lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress of NHS programmes for reducing variation in (1) the Getting It Right First Time programme, and (2) NHS RightCare; and what additional funding, if any, will be allocated to expand such improvement initiatives as part of NHS England’s long-term plan.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme aims to improve the quality of surgical and medical care within the National Health Service by working with frontline clinicians to identify and reduce unwarranted variations in service delivery and clinical practice. Since it was set up in 2016, the programme has been expanded to clinically review 35 surgical and medical specialties.In terms of tracking progress, the programme measures quality improvement in key outcomes or practices. Since 2016/17, the programme has delivered quality and efficiency improvements, shortening waiting times for surgery, reducing costly cancellations and delays to elective procedures, aiding trusts to meet performance targets, and reducing spend on costly consultancy services.Since its establishment as a national programme in 2016, NHS RightCare has actively worked with every health system in England to transform services over a wide range of pathways and reduce unwarranted variation. NHS RightCare underpins its activity with robust evaluation to understand the change and impact of local projects through robust planning and modelling. Nationally, this ensures the programme can report on change in reducing variation in terms of finance, activity and health outcomes via the Clinical Commissioning Group Improvement Assessment Framework. The Prime Minister has asked the NHS to develop a long-term plan for the service, setting out how the NHS will develop over the coming years supported by the significant additional funding. This provides an excellent opportunity to look at how reducing variation can be accelerated over the next decade. The plan is currently in development and will be published later in the year.

Chronic Inflammation

lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what work they have undertaken to embed pathways across NHS England that support earlier treatment and use of medicine in chronic inflammatory conditions to improve patient outcomes.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Department is not directly responsible for developing or reviewing clinical guidance for identification and management of diseases and disorders. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) was established by the Government to develop evidence based best practice for the National Health Service. NICE has published a range of guidance on different chronic inflammatory conditions, and corresponding pathways, to support commissioners and clinicians are able to deliver evidence based local services, to diagnose and treat patients. Commissioners should take NICE guidance into account when planning services for local populations.Other organisations, such as the clinical Royal Colleges, and charitable organisations also convene expert groups to develop guidance for health professionals.

NHS: Standards

lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to help to accelerate the spread and uptake of best practice across NHS England to reduce variation in patient outcomes.

lord o'shaughnessy: As part of our commitment to delivering the response to the Accelerated Access Review, we have established the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) which brings together representatives from Government, the National Health Service and industry to drive the uptake and adoption of those innovations within the NHS that will be most transformative for patients.Specifically, the AAC will oversee the Accelerated Access Pathway, which will launch later this year, to provide tailored support to increase the uptake of the most transformative innovations. This will help to promote best practice across the NHS and ensure all patients have access to the most effective new treatments.Alongside this, the Academic Health Science Networks continue to work with their local populations to ensure they benefit from significantly improved health outcomes through promotion of health equality and best practice, alongside transformation in leadership, quality and safety of care.

Department for International Development

Libya: Immigrants

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conditions for migrants held in Libyan detention centres; and, further to any such assessment, whether they will review any UK funding for the (1) Libyan Coastguard, and (2) detention centres in Libya.

lord bates: The UK remains concerned by the conditions faced by migrants in Libyan detention centres. We have consistently raised this issue with the Government of National Accord, including during a recent visit by the International Development Secretary. The UK continues to provide humanitarian support to vulnerable refugees and migrants in Libya, including through over £5m of funding for UN agencies and non-governmental organisations. UK assistance to the Libyan Coastguard has been delivered through financial contributions and the provision of two military training teams to Operation Sophia’s (the EU Naval Operation set up in response to the Mediterranean Migration Crisis) Coastguard Training Task. This training aims to equip the Libyan Coastguard with the skills required to manage search and rescue and conduct counter smuggling/trafficking activities properly, whilst respecting human rights. The training also includes sessions on seamanship. These efforts are part of a comprehensive approach to migration that includes supporting assisted voluntary returns, tackling people smuggling and encouraging economic development in source countries.

Pakistan: Education

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Bates on 14 November (HL Deb, col 1882), how much of the development funding spent in Pakistan has been spent each year on education of young girls in the last 20 years; which agencies have been supported to further the education of young girls in Pakistan; and in which (1) states, and (2) schools in Pakistan the money has been spent.

lord bates: Since 2011, DFID has benefited 10 million primary and nearly 6 million secondary students in Pakistan. Gender inclusion forms an integral part of provincial and national education programmes. Our programmes have supported 4.7 million girls to complete primary school in Pakistan and 2.7 million girls to complete secondary school in Punjab. Since 2000, DFID has spent £914 million on education in Pakistan, including £122.7m in 2017/18. We are not able to disaggregate this spend by gender. This support is mainly focussed on schools in the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh with our two largest sector reform programmes operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. We have supported a range of actors to deliver girl’s education including: the Governments of KP and Punjab; private sector providers; and not for profit and non-state actors.

Pakistan: Education

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply ofLord Bates on 14 November (HL Deb, col 1882), how much of the development funding to support the education of young girls in Pakistan has been spent on girls from minority communities in the last 20 years.

lord bates: Since 2011, DFID has invested £678.7m in education in Pakistan, including £122.7m in 2017/18. Inclusion and respect for minority communities forms an integral part of our provincial and national education programmes in Pakistan. For example, the KESP programme in KP, which aims to improve learning outcomes for all children, has an increasing focus on girls and marginalised groups. Our work to promote inclusion includes: training nearly 100,000 teachers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab in equity and inclusion; funding the Alif Ailaan education campaign which focusses on religious minorities; and engaging with education civil society organisations to champion issues of inclusion and raise these with government. We do not collect disaggregated population data on minority groups.

Pakistan: Religious Freedom

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply ofLord Bates on 14 November (HL Deb, col 1882), what assessment they have made of the (1) discrimination against religious minorities in Pakistan, and (2) case for prioritising development funding for such religious minorities.

lord bates: The UK Government strongly condemns persecution of any kind and we continue to engage the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels on the need to uphold the rights of all of its citizens. For example, through the AAWAZ Voice and Accountability programme, DFID Pakistan promoted tolerance between people of different faiths, and worked to address issues of inequality, discrimination and prevention of violence.

Developing Countries: Tropical Diseases

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to help tackle mosquito-borne diseases.

lord bates: We tackle mosquito-borne diseases through bilateral programmes and funding to multilateral organisations to: (1) support research to develop new tools and approaches for disease control, (2) respond to outbreaks, and (3) improve access to vector-control tools like bed nets and insecticide residual sprays. We also build strong and resilient health systems that meet essential needs, and ensure countries are better able to prevent, detect, and treat all causes of ill health, including mosquito-borne diseases. In 2017 our funding to the Global Fund contributed towards the distribution of 197m mosquito nets in low income countries.

Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration

lord green of deddington: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to sign the Global Compact for Safe Orderly and Regular Migration at the UN Intergovernmental Conference in Morocco on 10 and 11 December; and if so, what assessment they have made of the consistency of the Compact with their 2017 Manifesto commitment to reduce and control migration.

lord bates: The UK Government is supportive of the UN’s Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, both as a step forward in international co-operation to tackle irregular migration and as a framework to help us deliver our commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals. Our participation in the Global Compact will not affect our continued ability to determine and implement our own migration policy in the national interest. The Compact is a ‘non-legally binding, cooperative framework’, which reaffirms the sovereign right of States to determine their national migration policy. The Migration Compact aims to bolster international cooperation by providing a framework to implement regular and managed migration through effectively managing our borders and returning those with no right to remain.

Department for Education

Children in Care

lord laming: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children in public care are placed outside the boundary of the local authority with responsibility for their safety and wellbeing.

lord laming: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children in public care are placed more than (1) 50, and (2) 100 miles beyond the boundary of the local authority with responsibility for their safety and wellbeing.

lord agnew of oulton: The latest figures show that the number of children who were placed outside the boundary of the local authority responsible for their safety and wellbeing at the 31 March 2018 was 30,670, or 41% of all looked-after children. These figures were published in table A5 of the statistical release ‘Children looked after in England including adoption: 2017 to 2018’ at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018.The department does not collect information on the distance in miles between the placement of a child and the boundary edge of the local authority. The department does collect, however, two separate pieces of information in relation to placement location; the distance the child is placed away from their home postcode and whether the placement is located inside or outside their responsible local authority. The number of looked-after children placed outside their local authority boundary and more than 50 miles from their home was 5,380 (or 7% of all looked-after children) at 31 March 2018. There were 2,080 children (or 3% of all looked-after children) placed more than 100 miles from their home and outside their local authority boundary. These figures exclude children where the distance of the placement is unknown.We want to reduce out of area placements, but they will always be part of the care landscape. Sometimes local authorities have to identify a placement outside of the child’s local area to disrupt gang violence, trafficking or sexual exploitation or where specialist provision is needed.In recent years government has also increasingly asked local authorities to consider boarding as an option for looked-after children if it may be suitable for them and in some instances this may mean children are placed outside of their local authority area.

Ministry of Defence

Wellington Barracks

lord brougham and vaux: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to Written Answer by Earl Howe on 23 October [HL10938], when they plan to start the refurbishment of Wellington Barracks.

earl howe: An assessment study to scope the restoration and refurbishment required at Wellington Barracks is now under way. The work is scheduled to start in 2018-19.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

lord west of spithead: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the F-35A is capable of operating from a UK carrier.

earl howe: The F-35A is not capable of operating from the UK's Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.

Home Office

Asia Bibi

baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to offer Asia Bibi asylum in the UK; and, in reaching any decision, what consideration they have given to the likelihood of civil unrest in the UK in the event of her being given asylum in the UK.

baroness williams of trafford: As the Prime Minister set out on 14 November, the release of Asia Bibi will be very welcome news to her family and to all those who have campaigned in Pakistan and around the world for her release. We welcome the assurances the Government of Pakistan has given on keeping her and her family safe and it is important that all countries seek to uphold the rule of law and afford security and protection for the rights of all citizens irrespective of faith or belief.It is a longstanding Government policy not to comment on individual cases. In accordance with our duty of confidentiality, we cannot confirm whether an asylum claim has been received or the outcome of such a request. Departing from this policy may put individuals and their family members in danger.

Slavery: Victims

baroness doocey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the High Court Judgement in the case of K & AM v Secretary of State for the Home Department delivered on 8 November, by what mechanism they will pay back the amount of subsistence owed to each victim of modern slavery.

baroness doocey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the High Court Judgement in the case of K & AM v Secretary of State for the Home Department delivered on 8 November, whether they plan to issue a formal apology to each victim of modern slavery affected by the reduction in the amount of subsistence allowance.

baroness doocey: To ask Her Majesty's Government which Minister was responsible for approving the reduction to subsistence allowances for victims of modern slavery; and whether the Prime Minister was advised of this decision.

baroness williams of trafford: he Government is committed to tacking the scourge of modern slavery and supporting those affected by this crime.In 2017, Home Office Ministers agreed a comprehensive package of reforms to the National Referral Mechanism, which included the introduction of places of safety for those leaving situations of exploitation, trebling the period of move on support to assist victims moving out of government funded support and aligning the subsistence rates paid to potential victims of modern slavery with those received by asylum seekers.In light of the judgment in K and AM, the Home Office has immediately reinstated the top up paid to those in the Victim Care Contract who are also receiving support from the asylum support system, so that they receive a total of £65 per week.We are currently putting in place processes to ensure that those who have been affected receive a full back payment as soon as possible, and will set out how we plan to respond in due course, including our communications with all those affected.We are committed to reforming the National Referral Mechanism to ensure that as many victims of modern slavery as possible get the support they need.

Slavery: Victims

baroness doocey: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to publish the guidance about identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, in accordance with section 49(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government recognises its obligations under s49 of the Modern Slavery Act to publish statutory guidance on the identification of and support for potential victims of modern slavery.We have worked closely with stakeholders across the sector to draft statutory guidance since the Modern Slavery Act came into force, and will publish guidance as soon as we are able. We will announce a timetable in due course.

Migrant Camps: Greek Islands

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 6 November (HL11028), what improved facilities have been provided in refugee camps on the Greek Aegean islands following the seconding of British experts; and to what extent any such improved facilities have reduced overcrowding.

baroness williams of trafford: The Greek Government is responsible for running the camps in the hotspot islands, which includes making all necessary improvements to camp facilities and for taking steps to reduce overcrowding. I set out the responsibilities of the UK experts in my previous response (HL11028) as well as how the work they do interlinks with the Greek authorities.The UK experts are seconded to the EU Commission and as a result we cannot give a running commentary on the work they carry out.

Offences against Children

lord pearson of rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what, if any, circulars were issued by the Home Office to police forces in England and Wales about the circumstances in which instances of organised sexual abuse and exploitation of young women and girls should not be investigated, in each year since 2008.

baroness williams of trafford: All Home Office issued circulars are published. Home Office circulars from 2012 to 2018 are available via https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/home-office-circulars-2018. Circulars from 2003 to 2011 are on the National Archives website http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130125092816/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/corporate-publications-strategy/home-office-circulars/.We have not identified any Home Office circulars that set out any circumstances in which child sexual abuse and exploitation should not be investigated.A circular issued in 2008 on the application of the Children Act stresses the paramountcy of respecting the wishes and the feelings of the child in investigations.

Hate Crime: Females

lord stoddart of swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to classify misogyny as a hate crime; and if so, whether they intend also to classify misandry as a hate crime.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government has asked the Law Commission to undertake a review of the coverage and approach of current hate crime provisions, to ensure the criminal law is working effectively. This includes consideration of whether there should be additional protected characteristics such as gender. Once the Law Commission review is complete, the recommendations will be looked at in the usual way.

Treasury

Premium Bonds

lord lee of trafford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total value of unclaimed Premium Bond prizes.

lord bates: There are currently 337,279 unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes worth £19,553,650. Premium Bond holders can check if they have any unclaimed prizes on NS&I’s website www.nsandi.com/do-i-have-any-unclaimed-prizes

Premium Bonds

lord lee of trafford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many bond holders own the maximum quantity of Premium Bonds.

lord bates: As of 8 November 2018, 517,629 customers hold the maximum £50,000 investment in Premium Bonds.

Premium Bonds

lord lee of trafford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the age profile of Premium Bond holders.

lord bates: Premium Bonds have been on sale since 1956 and for several years customers were not required to provide personal information such as their date of birth. This information is now required from Premium Bonds customers. The age profile of Premium Bond holders where it does hold their date of birth is: Age (years)Customers (number)Customers (%) 767,7304%16-24650,0483%25-341,239,1736%35-441,642,6288%45-542,392,02411%55-642,131,47410%65-741,879,8539%>741,492,6917%Unknown8,734,88342%

Debts

lord ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of people struggling to manage their debts; what steps they are taking to assist such people; and what assessment they have made of the implications for individuals and families if debts cannot be managed.

lord ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to provide for the reduction of rent arrears, council tax non-payments, and other debts incurred by individuals who have insufficient income to meet their essential outgoings.

lord bates: Household debt as a proportion of income is down significantly from its pre-crisis peak, from 160% in Q1 2008 to 140% in Q2 2018. However, despite this, the government recognises the importance of preventing people from falling into debt, and supporting individuals if they do.To prevent individuals getting into problem debt, the government is putting in measures to improve living standards, and making it easier to access help with financial matters. In particular, the National Living Wage has increased the earnings of the lowest paid full-time workers by over £2000 since 2016, and will rise up a further 4.9% in April 2019 - a £690 rise for a full-time worker. The government is also setting up a new Single Financial Guidance Body, which will provide people with a single point of contact for help with all financial matters, and have a statutory responsibility to improve the public’s financial capability. However, the government recognises that, despite this action, some people can fall into problem debt. That is why the government is implementing a breathing space scheme – a sixty day period of protection for people in problem debt, to engage with debt advice and find a sustainable, long-lasting plan to solve their debt problems.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Agricultural Machinery and Motor Vehicles: Theft

lord birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ban the sale of electronic jammers which can be used to disable tracker devices on stolen vehicles and agricultural equipment.

lord ashton of hyde: It is currently prohibited under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 to sell any such devices which interfere with legitimate use of spectrum or to otherwise place them on the market.